They are dying off one by one. What am I missing??

[looptloop]

I've had 3 chickens die, one about every 2-3 months. I worm them (mostly) regularly. I've checked for lice/mices. I give good quality feed that is not old or wet. The coop conditions appear to be fine as it is 1 chicken at a time. There are never any sypmtoms of respitory problems, no weird poop until bird is sick, then it's clear/runny.

At the moment, it is my Buff Orp. She stands off alone, won't eat, little interest in anything.

The only thing in common is that it is usually the hen at the bottom of the pecking order. I do not see any bullying or keeping anyone away from the food though.

I am just at a complete loss of what I am overlooking here. Help!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

There must be some bullying going on that you're not seeing. The clear/watery poo to me is an indicator of not having any feed in their system only water.

 

[looptloop]

That is my best guess too. I'll have to start really watching to see if there is a bully out there.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
I really hope that is all it is because for the life of me I can not think of a disease that fits the bill

 

[TrystInn]

Are these chickens showing any sign of being pecked? If so, you might try a red light - it keeps thing peaceful in the coop.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Are these chickens who have been laying - how old are they? Could they be internal layers or egg bound?


Can you put out multiple feeders and water places? A bird who is not eating has bright green poop.

 

[looptloop]

Everyone is around 1 yr old. Laying regularly. I felt her abdomen, I don't feel anything hard. I did find a soft shelled egg the other day, but thought that was kind of common among 7 laying birds.

Crop seems okay.

I do have several waterers and feeders around, they are not starved my any means.....

They freerange around my house, no poisons or toxic plants around. They eat grass and worms, bugs as well as their layer feed.

I was really hoping there was something I am missing.... I am planning on getting chicks on Thursday, I hope this isn't something going thru my flock......

I will look up internal layers.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Sorry, I did not mean to sound like you were starving them

Multiple stations helps cut down on food bullying, if that is what is causing her not to eat as much.


Do you think your "ill" girl is laying or has she stopped?


I know a symptom of internal laying and eggbound is a droopy tail and a hunched stance. But I also have found a rooster standing like this, he had gotten a chill and could not warm himself back up. His skin was ice cold. I brought him into the house and he stayed in a box in the shower for two days (never hopped out of the shoe box sized thing). Once he warmed I feed him all he could eat of high protein foods (scramble/boiled eggs, chopped liver, parrot formula soup). Then he went to the garage for a couple days and then back out into the cold coop. He is now doing great.


Do you offer free choice oyster shell?

 

[looptloop]

Oh, no worries. I didn't think you thought they were starved. They might think they are, LOL!

I have not had free choice oyster shell out, but I will do so.

We have been having cold, rainy weather here though. Maybe she just got chilled? I do have the heat lamp out in the coopp

Huh.... I am just at a loss here.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Mine are SURE they are starving too.

If she was mine, and she passed......*sigh*..........I would open her up to see if I could see what the heck is possibly going on.


When they start having internal laying problems, you can see this when you open her.


Or I might call the state vet, and see if they offer any type of necrospy - I would call them before she passes, as there are guidelines for bringing a "body" in (no freezing is one).



I wish I could be of more help